Peering into the mind and brain

Neuroscientist Bradley Voytek discusses how brain damage and neurosurgery can be windows into the functioning of the mind in an engaging TEDxBerkeleytalk.

As well as being remarkably well-explained, the talk has a personal current running through it as Voytek reflects on his own motivations for becoming involved in brain research after experiencing his grandfather suffering the effects of Parkinson’s disease.

Understanding brain damage is still one of the most powerful tools in cognitive science and this is a great introduction to how researchers go about making the leap from damaged tissue to psychology.

If you’ve got 20 minutes to spare and are interested in the links between neuropsychology and human nature, you’d do well to spend them here. Great stuff.